Colorado is blue. Or at least, that’s what the scoreboard says. If you look at the 2024 presidential election results, Kamala Harris took the state by about 11 percentage points. That’s a double-digit win, the kind of margin that makes national campaigns stop buying TV ads in Denver because they figure the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
But if you actually live here, or if you’ve ever driven from the tech hubs of Boulder into the ranch lands of Weld County, you know that "blue" is a pretty thin coat of paint.
Is Colorado red or blue state? Honestly, it depends on which exit you take off I-25.
For decades, this was the ultimate "purple" prize. It was the swing state that presidential dreams were made of. Then, somewhere around 2008, the vibe shifted. The state has gone for the Democratic nominee in every presidential race since then. But 2024 threw a few curveballs that should make anyone claiming Colorado is "deep blue" take a second look.
The 2024 Reality Check: Blue State, Red Drift?
In the most recent election, Kamala Harris won 54.2% of the vote compared to Donald Trump’s 43.2%. On paper, that’s a blowout. However, when you dig into the data, you see a "smidgeon" of a shift to the right.
While Harris won, her margin was actually smaller than Joe Biden’s 13.5-point lead back in 2020. People in the suburbs—the famous "soccer moms" and "tech bros" of Arapahoe and Jefferson counties—still lean left, but the rural areas and some specific demographics are moving.
Take a look at the San Luis Valley. Four heavily Hispanic counties—Costilla, Alamosa, Conejos, and Saguache—all shifted toward Trump by more than 4 points. In Pueblo County, a long-time blue-collar Democratic stronghold, the shift was enough to flip the county to Trump entirely.
Then there’s the 8th Congressional District. It’s the most competitive seat in the state and has a massive Hispanic population. Republican Gabe Evans managed to flip that seat, beating incumbent Yadira Caraveo by less than a percentage point.
So, is Colorado red or blue state? It’s a blue state that just got a little more complicated.
Why the "Blue" Label Sticks
Despite those Republican wins in the House, the Democratic Party still holds a massive amount of power in the Centennial State.
- Statewide Offices: Democrats hold every single major statewide office, including the Governor’s mansion, both U.S. Senate seats, and the Secretary of State.
- The Legislature: Both chambers of the Colorado General Assembly are controlled by Democrats, often with "supermajorities" that make Republican opposition more of a suggestion than a hurdle.
- The "Gang of Four" Legacy: Back in the early 2000s, a group of wealthy donors (including now-Governor Jared Polis) basically re-engineered how the Democratic Party functioned in Colorado. They focused on ground games and local infrastructure, and it paid off big time.
The demographic shift hasn’t hurt them either. Colorado has become a magnet for young, college-educated professionals from California, Washington, and Illinois. These folks usually bring their voting habits with them. When you see high-density apartments popping up in the RiNo district of Denver, you’re usually looking at a fresh batch of Democratic voters.
The Independent Majority (The Real Power)
Here’s the part that most national pundits miss. As of late 2025, over 50% of Colorado’s active voters are registered as unaffiliated.
Think about that. More people in Colorado refuse to join a party than belong to the Democrats or Republicans.
Since 2016, these independent voters have been allowed to vote in either party's primary. This has been a disaster for the "far-right" wing of the GOP. Because unaffiliated voters tend to be more moderate, they’ve consistently helped pick more mainstream candidates or, in general elections, they’ve simply sided with Democrats to avoid what they see as "extreme" Republican options.
Data suggests that about 60% of these independents lean left on social issues like abortion and climate change, while maybe 40% lean right on taxes and the economy. As long as that math holds, the state stays blue.
The Geography of the Divide
If you want to understand if Colorado is red or blue state, you have to look at the map. It’s a classic "urban vs. rural" split, but with a mountain twist.
The Blue "Front Range"
The stretch from Fort Collins down through Denver to Boulder is the engine of the state's politics. Denver and Boulder counties are essentially "no-go" zones for Republicans; Harris won Denver with over 76% of the vote. This area has the population density to outvote the rest of the state combined.
The Red "Eastern Plains"
Once you get east of Aurora, it’s a different world. Counties like Yuma and Kit Carson are deep, deep red—regularly giving Republican candidates 80% or more of their vote. These are farming and ranching communities that feel increasingly alienated by the "Denver-centric" policies coming out of the state capitol.
The "Purple" Western Slope
This is where it gets fun. Grand Junction (Mesa County) is a Republican stronghold, but the mountain resort towns like Aspen (Pitkin County) and Telluride (San Miguel County) are incredibly liberal. This creates a weird political friction where you have ski instructors and cattle ranchers sharing a congressional district.
Misconceptions About Colorado Politics
A lot of people think Colorado is a "liberal paradise" because of legal weed and mushrooms. That’s a bit of a reach.
Coloradans have a very strong libertarian streak. They don't necessarily love the government; they just want the government to stay out of their business. This explains why the state can vote to protect abortion access and legalize psychedelics while also occasionally passing ballot measures that cap property taxes.
Also, don't assume the state is "anti-gun." Even in the suburbs, there's a deep-seated culture of outdoor recreation and hunting. When Democrats push too hard on gun control, they often see a backlash, like the 2013 recalls of state senators.
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What to Watch Moving Toward 2026
The state isn't static. Here’s what’s actually happening on the ground as we look toward the 2026 midterms:
- The "Trump Effect" vs. "Boebert Effect": For years, the face of the Colorado GOP was defined by Donald Trump and Lauren Boebert. This was a gift to Democrats. However, as the party tries to rebrand with more moderate, "Colorado-style" Republicans like Gabe Evans or Jeff Crank, they might start winning back those unaffiliated suburbanites.
- The Cost of Living: Colorado has become incredibly expensive. If Democrats can't figure out housing costs and grocery inflation, that "blue wall" might start to crack in the working-class areas of Adams and Arapahoe counties.
- Hispanic Voter Realignment: As seen in 2024, the Hispanic vote is not a monolith. In Colorado, this demographic is increasingly concerned with economic stability and crime, which is creating an opening for Republicans that didn't exist a decade ago.
The Practical Takeaway
So, is Colorado red or blue state? It is a blue-leaning state with a very loud, very active red heart. If you’re moving here or looking to understand the political climate for business or travel, don't expect a monolith. You'll find Prius-driving liberals in Boulder and lifted-truck conservatives in Colorado Springs. The beauty of the state—and its frustration—is that these two worlds have to find a way to share the same mountains.
Next Steps for Understanding Colorado’s Landscape:
- Check the Colorado Secretary of State's website for the latest voter registration monthly reports to see if the unaffiliated trend is continuing.
- Monitor the 2026 primary races to see if the GOP nominates moderates or "MAGA" candidates; this will be the single biggest indicator of whether the state could flip back to purple.
- Follow local outlets like Colorado Politics or The Colorado Sun for nuanced reporting that goes deeper than the national "red vs. blue" headlines.